New for 2017+

F-7189-II (MK2) Integrated Tube Amplifier (20W+20W)

F-7189 has always been a Limited Edition model for the tube connoisseurs and purist who likes the EL84/7189/6BQ5 tubes so much and wanted more power. In previous generation, the predecessor - "F-7189a" (the designation "a", meant it must uses the 7189 version A tube), it was designed for the extended power rated EL84M and 7189a tubes only to put out 17-20W per channel depending transformers.

And this very latest generation, theF-7189-II, it has gone thru a complete redesign for an extended power of 20W musicaloutput power. We have put in our best ever design that will run all variants of EL84 / 7189 / 6BQ5 tubes to have the same output power without using the scarce and expensive EL84M/7189a version of tubes. It also feature our latest two stage SEA-II Drivers design - more headroom, more dynamic, more gain, more punch, with a two-stage driver design, versus the singe stage driver as the previous SEA Driver design. Of course, to put out more power means a far more complicated/ precise calculated design, more parts, and a more critical / serious power supply design is required, in order to come up with the same quality and reliability.

So what makes the F-7189-II even more precise and different to other EL84 / 7189 / 6BQ5 amplifiers?

Output Transformers - They required bigger ones, and we picked the very best Hammond 25W (oversize) for this important duty

Power Transformer - It required a bigger one with higher voltage at 300V vs the usual 275V-285V for standard EL84/7189/6BQ5 application

Choke Transformer - it has been upgraded to our own Triode Lab's choke made by high-end M6 metals, its beefier and better - and quieter!

Upgraded power supply : Needless to say, due to the extra output power, a more complicated / higher design for the raised operation voltage, the main power supply is beefed up.

The ground loop design on the 7189A is also revised and enhanced, along with above upgrades in the power supply, we were able to measure S/N ratio better than 95 db (Conservative rating, we really saw 101 db coming!), and this reads EXTREMELY quiet, total dark out noise floor.

What makes the F7189-IImore serious regular to race tracks? a power regulation stage is added to the screen grid, a mosfet chip is applied to regulate and stabilize the power supply, and a heat sink is in place for the best optimal result - it does get hot there. It does not just make the amp runs more quiet and efficient, but it also extend the life of the tubes, also increase the accuracy of the circuit , which enable generating more horsepower!

Last but not least, a spark killer circuitry is added at the AC Inlet, to shield/protect surges and noises. (When you turn off your old tuner while the amplifier is still ON)

And this is how serious and how far we go to make this very high quality 20W (at 3% THD with Hammonds).

F7189-II vs EL84TT-FFX

Upgraded Mundorf's Silver in Oil Coupling Caps

Hashimoto Output Transformers VS EL84TT

Power Transformers : F-7189-II vs EL84TT

This is easily the best EL84 / 6BQ5 / 7189 machine on the planet now, and with great real-world driving power for most speakers. Standard premium parts including:

Alps Japan Blue Velvet Volume Control

Finale's Pink-Lingu RCA Jacks - Choices of one single set of RCA for purest signal transfer

Circuit-remapped for superior high frequency response and realism potential offered by the Hashimoto Transformer. Most other brand of output transformers went out of steam or measure rough long before they get up here . It also has the fewest insert (energy) loss and good measurements , which allow the use of fewest negative feedback or circuit compensations , resulting more power / better control / higher performance and fewest distortion while maintain a good natural and euphonic playback.

Hi Frank, Hope all is well.

I have about 75 hours on the 7189MK2 , I did swap out the JJ rectifier and 12ax7s after about 30 hours for NOS RCA 5AR4 and NOS GE 12ax7s. The amp sounded fine with the JJ’s , I am just more partial to NOS tubes. This is truly a beautiful sounding integrated amp. It has a very natural sound and a great ability to retrieve all of the nuances from music on each track; additionally its imaging, soundstage, separation and decay are well defined. I am also very pleased with the build quality, as well as , the care that you folks take with packaging/shipping, and the excellent communication I had with you throughout the process. You will have me as a future customer. Please feel free to post my comments on your website if you desire to.

— First time Customer

DO YOU KNOW: Part 2

Using an audio grade transformer is important for providing high quality sound. This is why we always try to use brand name audio transformers that are designed specifically for tube applications, and are well-tested for safety, with solid quality control. As experienced tube amp repair specialists, we see a lot of import and budget tube amplifiers that use low grade transformers - even though they may claim they are "in-house built” or “made with high grade materials.” We, on the other hand, love using brand name transformers, and the cost alone of the set of Hammond transformers we use on the F208a is more than the selling price of some low grade EL84 amps on the market.

So why should you care about the quality of your transformer — what are the down sides of using a poor-quality one? From our extensive experience of fixing tube amps over the last 30 years, we know a poor-quality transformer can induce hum/noises, reduce output power greatly, fail prematurely, have output imbalance (one channel makes 25W while the other 22W), cause poor measurements and instabilities to endanger the circuitry itself (or your speakers), and lastly, the thing we worry about the most is, in a word, safety — a poorly-built transformer is a time bomb...especially the low price/high power ones: Be warned.

Customer feedback #1 : (Direct and copy 100%)

"It was apparent that my expensive 140 watt transistor amplifier could not handle the bass and musical demands of my 91 dB/8 ohm loudspeakers. A professional recommended trying a tube amplifier and a friend recommended Tube de Force.

As it happens, for a dedicated audiophile like myself this was almost a life changing moment!

My Finale F 208 costs much less than the solid state, provides at least twice the quality and many times the enjoyment! Absolute bass control, staggering detail, and luscious high end. Tube de Force nailed the specifications and loudspeaker pairing when they built my amplifier in just three days. It was in my house within a week of ordering it! Great service, very helpful suggestions and a totally awesome product. I just wish I'd have found them earlier and afford even more thrills via their higher end models!"

Customer feedback #2 : (Direct and copy 100%)

"I know a reasonably priced 10 watt amplifier shouldn't be considered "Great" but yours is at any standard. Not broken in (less than 5 hours use), it is much better with the Gemme audio Vivace's than Bryston and therefore many other solid-state amplifiers. I have had Bryston, Audiomat Opera and Aurum Acoustics (NFLD) and yours is lots better. Shocking really. Listening during a quiet evening has provided my best CD experience with orchestral, jazz and even pop/rock. I enjoyed about 8 CD's all of which sounded much better than I have ever heard. "

Customer feedback #3 : (Direct and copy 100%)

"Next subject is the F208 I purchased from you. Wow, this amp is a staging master. It has authoritative low frequency, smooth mids and light, airy and delicate highs. I paired it with LSA 1's and it is a match made in heaven, talk about organic. Absolutely no listeners fatigue and the listening session intensifies as the hour go by! What continually passes thru my mind when listening is 3D, this sounds like 3D. It reminds me of the first time that I witnessed color TV! I am using the tube compliment that you recommended, EH 12Ax7's and SovtecEL84's.I experimented with a few other NOS 12AX7's but always preferred the EH's, talk about cost effective. Thanks for recommending this to me."

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